Clean and efficient synthesis of isoxazole derivatives in aqueous media

Article abstract of DOI:10.3390/molecules181113645

A series of 5-arylisoxazole derivatives were synthesized via the reaction of 3-(dimethyl-amino)-1-arylprop-2-en-1-ones with hydroxylamine hydrochloride in aqueous media without using any catalyst. This method has the advantages of easier work-up, mild rea

Full text of DOI:10.3390/molecules181113645

Molecules 2013, 18, 13645-13653; doi:10.3390/molecules181113645
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molecules
ISSN 1420-3049
www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules
Article
Clean and Efficient Synthesis of Isoxazole Derivatives in
Aqueous Media
Guolan Dou 1,*, Pan Xu 2, Qiang Li 3, Yukun Xi 2, Zhibin Huang 2 and Daqing Shi 2,*
1
School of Safety Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
2
Key Laboratory of Organic Synthesis of Jiangsu Province, College of Chemistry, Chemical
Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
3
Hainan Chuntch Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Hainan Province Seaport Bonded Area 6th
Workshop, Haikou 570216, China
* Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mails: gldoucumt@163.com (G.D.);
dqshi@suda.edu.cn (D.S.); Tel.: +86-512-6588-0049 (D.S.); Fax: +86-512-6588-0089 (D.S.).
Received: 5 August 2013; in revised form: 22 October 2013 / Accepted: 31 October 2013 /
Published: 5 November 2013
Abstract: A series of 5-arylisoxazole derivatives were synthesized via the reaction of
3-(dimethyl-amino)-1-arylprop-2-en-1-ones with hydroxylamine hydrochloride in aqueous
media without using any catalyst. This method has the advantages of easier work-up, mild
reaction conditions, high yields, and an environmentally benign procedure.
Keywords: 5-arylisoxazole; without catalyst; aqueous media; synthesis
1. Introduction
The need to reduce the amount of toxic waste and byproducts arising from chemical processes
requires increasing emphasis on the use of less toxic and environmentally compatible materials in the
design of new synthetic methods [1]. One of the most promising approaches is the use of water as the
reaction medium [2]. Compared to organic solvents the aqueous medium is less expensive, less
dangerous, and more environmentally friendly. In recent years, there has been increasing recognition
that water is an attractive medium for many organic reactions [3–5]. Many important types of
heterocycles, such as furans, pyridines, quinolines, indoles, triazines, acridines, pyrazines, and
pyrimidines have been synthesized in aqueous media [6–15]. The synthesis of new and other important
type of heterocyclic compounds in water continues to attract wide attention among synthetic chemists.

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Nitrogen-containing heterocyclic building blocks are of great importance to both medical and
organic chemists, and their synthesis continues to represent a challenge from both academic and
industrial perspectives [16]. Isoxazole derivatives are an important class of heterocyclic
pharmaceuticals and bioactive natural products because of their significant and wide spectrum of
biological activities, including potent and selective antagonism of the NMDA receptor [17] and anti-HIV
activity [18]. Many syntheses of isoxazoles have been developed [19,20]. However, these syntheses
are usually carried out in organic solvents. As part of our current studies on the development of new
routes to heterocyclic systems in aqueous media [21–28], we now report an efficient and clean
synthetic route to isoxazole derivatives via the reaction of 3-(dimethylamino)-1-arylprop-2-en-1-ones
with hydroxylamine hydrochloride in aqueous media.
2. Results and Discussion
When an equivalent mixture of an 3-(dimethylamino)-1-arylprop-2-en-1-one derivative 1 and
hydroxylamine hydrochloride (2) was stirred at 50 °C in aqueous media, 5-arylisoxazole derivatives 3
were obtained in good yields (Scheme 1). The results are summarized in Table 1.
Scheme 1. The synthesis of 5-arylisoxazole derivatives in aqueous media.
Table 1. The synthetic results of 5-arylisoxazole derivatives in aqueous media.
Entry
Product
3a
Ar
R
Isolated Yield (%)
1
2
4-ClC6H4
H
88
93
89
84
88
92
89
90
86
84
86
93
3b
3c
4-CH3OC6H4
4-BrC6H4
H
3
H
4
3d
3e
Naphthen-2-yl
C6H5
H
5
CH3
CH3
CH3
CH3
CH3
CH3
CH3
CH3
6
3f
4-CH3OC6H4
4-CH3C6H4
4-BrC6H4
7
3g
8
3h
3i
9
4-ClC6H4
10
11
12
3j
4-CH3OCOC6H4
4-BocNHC6H4
Thiophen-2-yl
3k
3l
As shown in Table 1, this protocol could be applied to the 3-(dimethylamino)-1-arylprop-2-en-1-ones
with both electron-withdrawing groups (such as halide groups) and electron-donating groups (such as
methyl or methoxyl groups). Polysubstituted 3-(dimethylamino)-1-arylprop-2-en-1-ones could also be
used in this synthesis. We concluded that the electronic nature of the substituent on the aromatic ring
of 3-(dimethylamino)-1-arylprop-2-en-1-ones had no significant effect on this reaction. This synthesis
was confirmed to follow the group-assisted-purification chemistry process [29–31], which can avoid

Molecules 2013, 18
13647
traditional chromatography and recrystallization purification, that is, all the pure products can be
obtained only by suction filtration without further purification. All the products 3 were identified from
their IR, 1H-NMR, and HRMS spectra.
Although the detailed mechanism of this reaction remains to be fully clarified, the formation of
5-arylisoxazoles 3 could be explained by the reaction sequence presented in Scheme 2. First, the
Michael addition of 3-(dimethylamino)-1-arylprop-2-en-1-ones 1 and hydroxylamine 2 gives the
intermediate A, which then eliminates one molecule of dimethylamine to give the intermediate B,
which upon intramolecular cyclization and dehydration gives rise to the final product 3.
Scheme 2. The proposed mechanism for the synthesis of 5-arylisoxazoles.
O
O
R
O
R
- (CH3)2NH
NH2OH
HCl
2
R
Ar
Ar
N
Ar
N
N
HOHN
HO
1
A
B
R
R
dehydration
cyclization
Ar
N
N
Ar
O
O
HO
3
3. Experimental
All reagents were purchased from commercial suppliers and used without further purification.
Melting points are uncorrected. IR spectra were recorded on Varian F-1000 spectrometer in KBr with
1
13
absorptions in cm−1. H-NMR and C-NMR spectra were recorded on a Varian Inova-300 MHz or
Varian Inova-400 MHz in CDCl3 solution. J Values are in Hertz. Chemical shifts are expressed in
parts per million downfield from internal standard TMS. High-resolution mass spectra (HRMS) were
obtained using Bruker microTOF-Q instrument.
3.1. General Procedure for the Synthesis of 3-(Dimethylamino)-1-arylprop-2-en-1-ones 1a–l
A solution of substituted acetophenone (2 nmol) in N,N-dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal or
N,N-dimethylacetamide dimethyl acetal (10 mL) was refluxed for 20 h during which time some
methanol was formed and removed through a reflux condenser. After cooling, the precipitate was
collected by suction to give compounds 1.
1-(4-Chlorophenyl)-3-(dimethylamino)prop-2-en-1-one (1a). Mp: 84–86 °C; IR (KBr) ν: 2916, 2804,
1648, 1580, 1545, 1433, 1411, 1353, 1279, 1237, 1118, 1088, 1053, 1010, 980, 899, 837, 790, 742,
1
678 cm−1; H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 2.89 (s, 3H, NCH3), 3.12 (s, 3H, NCH3), 5.63 (d,
J = 12.4 Hz, 1H, CH), 7.34 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H, ArH), 7.78 (d, J = 12.8 Hz, 1H, CH), 7.81 (d, J = 8.4 Hz,
13
2H, ArH); C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 37.2, 45.0, 91.6, 128.2, 128.8, 136.8, 138.7, 154.4,
187.0; HRMS calcd. for C11H13ClNO [M+H]+: 210.0686; found: 210.0685.
3-(Dimethylamino)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (1b). Mp: 92–94 °C; IR (KBr) ν: 2905, 2838,
1643, 1603, 1583, 1432, 1358, 1305, 1242, 1175, 1117, 1057, 1026, 901, 774 cm−1; 1H-NMR (400 MHz,

Molecules 2013, 18
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CDCl3) δ (ppm) 2.89 (s, 3H, NCH3), 3.05 (s, 3H, NCH3), 3.80 (s, 3H, CH3O), 5.66 (d, J = 12.4 Hz, 1H,
CH), 6.86-6.88 (m, 2H, ArH), 7.74 (d, J = 12.4 Hz, 1H, CH), 7.86–7.88 (m, 2H, ArH); 13C-NMR
(75 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 37.1, 44.8, 55.2, 91.5, 113.1, 129.3, 132.9, 153.7, 161.8, 187.2; HRMS
calcd. for C12H16NO2 [M+H]+: 206.1181; found: 206.1205.
1-(4-Bromophenyl)-3-(dimethylamino)prop-2-en-1-one (1c). Mp: 81–83 °C; IR (KBr) ν: 2910, 2808,
1649, 1575, 1540, 1435, 1357, 1304, 1271, 1237, 1120, 1056, 1003, 895, 847, 808, 775, 760, 673 cm−1;
1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 2.88 (s, 3H, NCH3), 3.11 (s, 3H, NCH3), 5.62 (d, J = 12.4 Hz,
1H, CH), 7.50 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H, ArH), 7.73 (s, 1H, CH), 7.75–7.79 (m, 2H, ArH); 13C-NMR
(75 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 37.3, 45.1, 91.6, 125.4, 129.1, 131.3, 139.3, 154.6, 187.2; HRMS calcd. for
C11H13BrNO [M+H]+: 254.0181; found: 254.0182.
3-(Dimethylamino)-1-(naphthalen-2-yl)prop-2-en-1-one (1d). Mp: 94–95 °C; IR (KBr) ν: 2927, 2898,
1
2809, 1636, 1554, 1427, 1291, 1253, 1189, 1111, 1045, 909, 863, 826, 781, 759 cm−1; H-NMR
(400 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 2.91 (s, 3H, NCH3), 3.09 (s, 3H, NCH3), 5.85 (d, J = 12.4 Hz, 1H, CH),
7.46–7.53 (m, 2H, ArH), 7.82–7.87 (m, 3H, ArH), 7.92 (t, J = 6.8 Hz, 1H, CH), 8.00–8.03 (m, 1H,
13
ArH), 8.40 (s, 1H, ArH); C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 37.3, 45.0, 92.4, 124.7, 126.2, 127.2,
127.7, 127.8, 129.2, 132.8, 134.7, 137.9, 154.3, 188.4; HRMS calcd. for C15H15NO [M+H]+: 226.1232;
found: 226.1234.
3-(Dimethylamino)-1-phenylbut-2-en-1-one (1e). Oil; IR (KBr) ν: 2911, 1650, 1555, 1500, 1450, 1357,
1
1310, 1267, 1027, 1067, 1000, 900, 857, 775, 761, 673 cm−1; H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm)
2.64 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.03 (s, 6H, N(CH3)2), 5.69 (s, 1H, CH), 7.13 (s, 1H, ArH), 7.41 (t, J = 6.4 Hz, 2H,
13
ArH), 7.82 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 2H, ArH); C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 19.5, 42.7, 52.4, 117.3,
128.2, 130.0, 130.5, 133.9, 151.6, 166.1, 172.3; HRMS calcd. for C12H15NO [M+H]+: 190.1232; found:
190.1245.
3-(Dimethylamino)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)but-2-en-1-one (1f). Mp: 134–136 °C; IR (KBr) ν: 2961, 2835,
1671, 1574, 1460, 1307, 1167, 1081, 1025, 917, 865, 782, 746, 694 cm−1; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3)
δ (ppm) 2.62 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.02 (s, 6H, N(CH3)2), 3.81 (s, 3H, CH3O), 5.64 (s, 1H, CH), 6.86 (d,
J = 8.4 Hz, 2H, ArH), 7.84 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H, ArH); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 16.3, 39.9,
55.2, 92.1, 113.0, 129.0, 135.5, 161.3, 163.3, 187.1; HRMS calcd. for C13H18NO2 [M+H]+: 220.1338;
found: 220.1341.
3-(Dimethylamino)-1-(-4-methylphenyl)but-2-en-1-one (1g). Mp: 94–96 °C; IR (KBr) ν: 2913, 2808,
1660, 1577, 1561, 1450, 1357, 1300, 1277, 1122, 1066, 1000, 899, 847, 775, 760, 673 cm−1; 1H-NMR
(400 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 2.37 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.65 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.06 (s, 6H, N(CH3)2), 5.67 (s, 1H,
CH), 7.18 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 2H, ArH), 7.77 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H, ArH); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm)
16.4, 21.4, 40.0, 92.6, 127.3, 128.7, 140.3, 140.5, 163.6, 188.1; HRMS calcd. for C13H17NO [M+H]+:
204.1388; found: 204.1386.
1-(4-Bromophenyl)-3-(dimethylamino)but-2-en-1-one (1h). Mp: 88–92 °C; IR (KBr) ν: 2931, 1721,
1616, 1500, 1420, 1385, 1354, 1220, 1161, 1069, 1030, 1007, 849, 769, 680, 627 cm−1; 1H-NMR (400
MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 2.63 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.06 (s, 6H, N(CH3)2), 5.58 (s, 1H, CH), 7.49 (d, J = 8.4 Hz,
2H, ArH), 7.70 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H, ArH); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 16.5, 40.1, 92.0, 124.6,

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128.4, 128.9, 131.1, 131.8, 141.8, 186.7; HRMS calcd. for C12H14BrNO [M+H]+: 267.0259;
found: 267.0256.
1-(4-Chlorophenyl)-3-(dimethylamino)but-2-en-1-one (1i). Mp: 82–84 °C; IR (KBr) ν: 3039, 2961,
2804, 1676, 1620, 1537, 1411, 1379, 1351, 1278, 1224, 1166, 1089, 1024, 1010, 921, 862, 772, 739,
712, 678 cm−1; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 2.62 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.04 (s, 6H, N(CH3)2), 5.57 (s, 1H,
CH), 7.31 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H, ArH), 7.76 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H, ArH); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm)
16.4, 40.1, 92.0, 128.0, 128.6, 136.0, 141.3, 164.3, 186.5; HRMS calcd. for C12H14ClNO [M+H]+:
224.0842; found: 224.0861.
Methyl 4-(3-dimethylamino)but-2-enoyl)benzoate (1j). Mp: 103–106 °C; IR (KBr) ν: 2951, 1720,
1
1620,1600, 1569, 1434, 1282, 1217, 1110, 1037, 1011, 921, 868, 825, 759, 725 cm−1; H-NMR
(400 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 2.64 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.06 (s, 6H, N(CH3)2), 3.89 (s, 3H, CH3), 5.61 (s, 1H,
CH), 7.85 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H, ArH), 8.01 (d, J = 8 Hz, 2H, ArH); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm)
16.5, 40.1, 52.1, 92.5, 127.1, 129.3, 131.2, 147.0, 164.6, 166.7, 186.9; HRMS calcd. for C14H17NO3
[M+H]+: 248.1287; found: 248.1292.
tert-Butyl (4-(3-dimethylamino)but-2-enoyl)phenyl)carbamate (1k). Mp: 218–220 °C; IR (KBr) ν: 3242,
3087, 2963, 1721, 1615, 1482, 1361, 1310, 1269, 1245, 1152, 1085, 1050, 1022, 922, 866, 788, 690 cm−1;
1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 1.50 (s, 9H, C(CH3)3), 2.62 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.04 (s, 6H, N(CH3)2),
5.65 (s, 1H, CH), 6.83 (s, 1H, NH), 7.37 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H, ArH), 7.81 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 2H, ArH);
13C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 16.4, 28.3, 40.0, 80.6, 92.3, 117.3, 128.4, 137.4, 140.4, 152.5,
163.5, 187.2; HRMS calcd. for C17H25N2O3 [M+H]+: 305.1865; found: 305.1866.
3-(Dimethylamino)-1-(thiophen-2-yl)but-2-en-1-one (1l). Mp: 90–91 °C; IR (KBr) ν: 3078, 2919, 2815,
1694, 1622, 1543, 1422, 1380, 1345, 1228, 1170, 1085, 1064, 1028, 906, 860, 837, 771, 723 cm−1;
1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 2.59 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.01 (s, 6H, N(CH3)2), 5.60 (s, 1H, CH), 6.99
(s, 1H, ArH), 7.37 (s, 1H, ArH), 7.51 (s, 1H, ArH); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 16.5, 40.0, 91.6,
127.2, 127.4, 129.4, 150.0, 163.8, 180.1; HRMS calcd. for C10H14NOS [M+H]+: 196.0796; found: 196.0807.
3.2. General Procedure for the Synthesis of Isoxazole Derivatives 3a–l
3-(Dimethylamino)-1-arylprop-2-en-1-one 1 (1 nmol), hydroxylamine hydrochloride 2 (1 nmol) and
water (5 mL) were added to a 25-mL round-bottom flask. The mixture was then stirred at 50 °C for 2 h.
After completion of the reaction, the mixture was then cooled to room temperature. The precipitate
was collected by suction filtration to give products 3 without further purification.
5-(4-Chlorophenyl)isoxazole (3a). Mp: 85–87 °C (lit. [19] 84–85 °C); IR (KBr) ν: 1601, 1447, 1264,
1128, 1109, 1088, 802 cm−1; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 6.52 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 1H, C4-H), 7.45
13
(d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H, ArH), 7.73 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H, ArH), 8.30 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 1H, C3-H); C-NMR
(75 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 98.9, 125.6, 127.0, 129.2, 136.1, 150.8, 168.1; HRMS calcd. for C9H7ClNO
[M+H]+: 180.0216; found: 180.0215.
5-(4-Methoxyphenyl)isoxazole (3b). Mp: 60–62 °C (lit. [19] 64–65 °C); IR (KBr) ν: 3002, 1605, 1510,
1446, 1251, 1175, 1020, 906, 787, 675 cm−1; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 3.86 (s, 3H, CH3O),

Molecules 2013, 18
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6.39 (d, J = 1.6 Hz, 1H, C4-H), 6.98 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 2H, ArH), 7.73 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 2H, ArH), 8.25 (d,
13
J = 1.6 Hz, 1H, C3-H); C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 55.3, 97.2, 114.3, 120.0, 127.3, 150.7,
161.0, 169.2; HRMS calcd. for C10H10NO2 [M+H]+: 176.0712; found: 176.0718.
5-(4-Bromophenyl)isoxazole (3c). Mp: 112–114 °C (lit. [19] 114–116 °C); IR (KBr) ν: 1629, 1427,
1077, 1021, 846, 775 cm−1; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 6.53 (d, J = 1.6 Hz, 1H, C4-H), 7.60
13
(d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H, ArH), 7.66 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 2H, ArH), 8.30 (d, J = 1.6 Hz, 1H, C3-H); C-NMR
(75 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 99.0, 124.5, 126.0, 127.2, 132.2, 150.9, 168.2; HRMS calcd. for C9H7BrNO
[M+H]+: 223.9711; found: 223.9716.
5-(Naphthalen-1-yl)isoxazole (3d). Mp: 90–92 °C; IR (KBr) ν: 3049, 1562, 1449, 1360, 1265, 1190,
1
910, 808, 738 cm−1; H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 6.63 (d, J = 1.6 Hz, 1H, C4-H), 7.53–7.56
(m, 2H, ArH), 7.84–7.93 (m, 4H, ArH), 8.30–8.34 (m, 2H, C3-H and ArH); 13C-NMR (75 MHz,
CDCl3) δ (ppm) 98.9, 122.8, 124.3, 125.5, 126.8, 127.2, 127.7, 128.5, 128.8, 132.9, 133.8, 150.8,
169.3; HRMS calcd. for C13H10NO [M+H]+: 196.0762; found: 196.0768.
3-Methyl-5-phenylisoxazole (3e). Mp: 67–69 °C (lit. [32] 67 °C); IR (KBr) ν: 3056, 2983, 1600, 1424,
1258, 1039, 897, 766, 683 cm−1; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 2.36 (s, 3H, CH3), 6.37 (s, 1H, C4-H),
13
7.42–7.48 (m, 3H, ArH), 7.75–7.77 (m, 2H, ArH); C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 11.4, 100.1,
125.6, 127.4, 128.8, 129.9, 160.2, 169.5; HRMS calcd. for C10H10NO [M+H]+: 160.0762; found: 160.0770.
5-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-3-methylisoxazole (3f). Mp: 99–101 °C; IR (KBr) ν: 2936, 1612, 1510, 1430,
1253, 1174, 1022, 787, 680 cm−1; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 2.33 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.85 (s, 3H,
13
CH3O), 6.24 (s, 1H, C4-H), 6.96 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 2H, ArH), 7.69 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 2H, ArH); C-NMR
(75 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 11.4, 55.2, 98.7, 114.2, 120.3, 127.2, 160.2, 160.8, 169.5; HRMS calcd. for
C11H12NO2 [M+H]+: 190.0868; found: 190.0862.
3-Methyl-5-(4-methylphenyl)isoxazole (3g). Mp: 88–90 °C (lit. [33] 92 °C); IR (KBr) ν: 3063, 2961,
1603, 1415, 1259, 1114, 1044, 956, 895, 792, 680 cm−1; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 2.13 (s,
3H, CH3), 2.18 (s, 3H, CH3), 6.09 (s, 1H, C4-H), 7.04 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H, ArH), 7.43 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H,
ArH); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 11.4, 21.3, 99.5, 124.8, 125.6, 129.5, 140.1, 160.2, 169.7;
HRMS calcd. for C11H12NO [M+H]+: 174.0919; found: 174.0914.
5-(4-Bromophenyl)-3-methylisoxazole (3h). Mp: 126–128 °C; IR (KBr) ν: 2978, 1598, 1467, 1404,
1256, 1061, C4-H), 7.41 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H, ArH), 7.67 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H, ArH); 13C-NMR (75 MHz,
CDCl3) δ (ppm) 11.4, 100.4, 125.9, 126.9, 129.1, 135.9, 160.4, 168.4; HRMS calcd. for C10H9ClNO
[M+H]+: 194.0373; found: 194.0378.
5-(4-Chlorophenyl)-3-methylisoxazole (3i). Mp: 88–89 °C (lit. [34] 90–91 °C); IR (KBr) ν: 1600, 1451,
1400, 1249, 1092, 1053, 833cm-1; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 2.34 (s, 3H, CH3), 6.34 (s, 1H,
13
C4-H), 7.41 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H, ArH), 7.67 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H, ArH); C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) δ
(ppm) 11.4, 100.4, 125.9, 126.9, 129.1, 135.9, 160.4, 168.4; HRMS calcd. for C10H9ClNO [M+H]+:
194.0373; found: 194.0378.

Molecules 2013, 18
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Methyl 4-(3-methylisoxazol-5-yl)benzoate (3j). Mp: 88–90 °C; IR (KBr) ν: 2945, 1720, 1601, 1419,
1274, 1182, 1105, 950, 774 cm−1; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 2.36 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.93 (s, 3H,
13
CH3O), 6.46 (s, 1H, C4-H), 7.81 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H, ArH), 8.10 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H, ArH); C-NMR
(75 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 11.4, 52.2, 101.6, 125.5, 130.1, 131.1, 131.2, 160.4, 166.2, 168.3; HRMS
calcd. for C12H12NO3 [M+Na]+: 240.0637; found: 240.0650.
tert-Butyl 4-(3-methylisoxazol-5-yl)phenylcarbamate (3k). Mp: 120–121 °C; IR (KBr) ν: 3363, 3005,
2978, 1701, 1520, 1413, 1237, 1160, 835, 772 cm−1; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 1.48 (s, 9H,
(CH3)3C), 2.25 (s, 3H, CH3), 6.71 (s, 1H, C4-H), 7.59 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 2H, ArH), 7.71 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H,
ArH), 9.65 (s, 1H, NH); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 11.5, 28.2, 80.9, 99.2, 118.3, 122.1,
126.6, 140.0, 152.4, 160.3, 169.3; HRMS calcd. for C15H19N2O3 [M+H]+: 275.1396; found: 275.1392.
3-Methyl-5-(thiophen-2-yl)isoxazole (3l). Oil; IR (KBr) ν: 2933, 1605, 1422, 1033, 899, 792, 706 cm−1;
1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 2.33 (s, 3H, CH3), 6.24 (s, 1H, C4-H), 7.11 (t, J = 4.4 Hz, 1H,
13
ArH), 7.43 (d, J = 4.8 Hz, 1H, ArH), 7.48 (d, J = 3.6 Hz, 1H, ArH); C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) δ
(ppm) 11.4, 100.0, 126.7, 127.7, 128.0, 129.4, 160.3, 160.4; HRMS calcd. for C8H8NOS [M+H]+:
166.0327; found: 166.0322.
4. Conclusions
In conclusion, we have developed an efficient synthesis of isoxazole derivatives via the reaction of
3-(dimethylamino)-1-arylprop-2-en-1-ones with hydroxylamine hydrochloride in aqueous media
without using any catalyst. This method has the advantages of an easier work-up, mild reaction
conditions, high yields, and an environmentally benign procedure.
Acknowledgments
We are grateful to The Joint Funds of the National Natural Science Foundation of China and
Shenhua Group Corporation Limited (No. 51134020), the National Natural Science Foundation of
China Youth Science Foundation (Grant No. 51204171 and 51004105), and A Project Funded by the
Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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